Woman accused of theft from elderly neighbor

A Wausau woman is in jail for allegedly taking some $200,000 from a 95-year-old woman. Investigators say 46-year-old Laurie Goetsch took the money from the investment accounts of her elderly neighbor. Goetsch is charged with theft from a business. Investigators say the victim may have also adopted Goetsch within the last five years.

During a court appearance on Friday, investigators claimed Goetsch used $80,000 to post bond for suspects in a drug dealing case, and questioned Goetsch’s other handling of the victim’s money, saying it was not in the elderly woman’s best interest.

Judge Jill Falstad set a $400,000 cash bond. Goetsch remains in the Marathon County Jail awaiting her August 22th pretrial conference and August 26th preliminary hearing.